ODOT Plans
Perham Creek to Mitchell Point
HCRH State Trail
Segment 7
For more information on the Columbia River Highway features discussed in the State Trail Plans:
Jeanette B. Kloos, Historic Columbia River Highway Master Plan (2006)
i) Viento to Mitchell Point
Old mile post 58.2–61.1
Existing Condition – The Wygant Trail connects some portions of HCRH pavement. The 1987 Study recommended reopening the portion of the Wygant Trail along Perham Creek and extending the trail to Viento State Park.
Vision – Construct the HCRH State Trail between Viento and Mitchell Point. The September 2000 scoping team recommended a line south of Interstate 84, including several rockfall hazard areas that need additional analysis.
Kloos, Jeanette B. Historic Columbia River Highway Master Plan. Salem: Oregon Department of Transportation. 2006. 40.
The Historic Columbia River Highway: Mile Post 2016 Reconnection Projects (March 2009)
Segment 7 - Perham Creek to Mitchell Point West
This alignment continues along the old highway for 750 feet then crosses Perham Creek (Photo 7A). Then the trail is constrained by travel lanes and a very active rockfall area (Photo 7C). Cost estimates are based on extensive rock excavation in order to safely construct the trail through this area. (Note: This is one of the larger, more expensive challenges facing the HCRH State Trail reconnection). After the rockfall section, the trail rejoins paved and unpaved portions of the old highway alignment to Mitchell Point (Lausmann State Park) (Photo 7D). The east trail section requires some rockfall protection and a new bridge over Mitchell Creek.
Trail Segment Highlights:
• Great interpretive potential at Perham Creek (original Civilian Conservation Corps sign column in place) (Photo 7B).
• Major rockfall excavation required east of Perham Creek.
• Old pavement evident west of Mitchell Point.
• Mitchell Point provides an excellent trail head.
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 7 - Perham Creek to Mitchell Point West
"Photo 7A: Old pavement leads into Perham Creek Area."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 7 - Perham Creek to Mitchell Point West
"Photo 7B: At Perham Creek, an old stone park sign column, typical to the Civilian Conservation Corps era, sits alone in the forest. At one time, Perham Creek was a popular wayside."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 7 - Perham Creek to Mitchell Point West
"Photo 7C: Rock excavation is the recommended approach along this constrained section, with little room between I-84 and active slope for a trail."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 7 - Perham Creek to Mitchell Point West
"Photo 7D: Original Warrenite, patented asphalt, is still present under a layer of leaves. Here the trail heads toward Mitchell Point along the old roadbed."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 7 - Perham Creek to Mitchell Point West
"Photo 7E: View west from Mitchell Point overlook towards I-84 and the Columbia River."
ODOT. 2009 Plan - Segment 7 - Perham Creek to Mitchell Point West
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010)
Phase One - Section E - Viento to Mitchell Creek
• Section 383+00 – 391+00: The Trail then turns south and connects to another section of Historic Highway in the Perham Creek area. A historic masonry sign base is located along this section of Trail very close to where a new bridge will cross Perham Creek. Once the Trail crosses Perham Creek, it follows its original alignment until it comes back along I-84.
• Section 391+00 – 420+60: The Trail continues east along I-84 for 1600 feet and then heads south to where it meets up with an existing section of Historic Highway. This section of Historic Highway is also the access trail for the Wygant Trail. This section ends at a new bridge crossing over Mitchell Creek.
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010), 30
"Existing Historic Highway near Perham Creek."
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010), 33
"Highwater over Historic Highway at Perham Creek."
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010), 31
"Perham Creek Detail Plan"
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010), 33
"Perham Creek Bridge Perspective"
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010), 33
The Historic Columbia River Highway: State Trail Plan - Wyeth to Hood River (Winter 2010)
Phase Two - Section F - Mitchell Creek to Mitchell Point Tunnel
Milepost 61
Trail Segment Highlights
LENGTH: .7 miles
2014 COST: $14.4 million
Level of difficulty:
Easy to Moderate
slopes not exceeding 5%
Description:
• Section 420+60 – 526+50: The section starts at the new bridge crossing Mitchell Creek. In this area, Mitchell Creek was diverted into a new channel when I-84 was constructed. The new channel cut through the Historic Highway, leaving a small piece of intact road on the north side of the creek. A new bridge is proposed to cross Mitchell Creek and reconnect the Historic Highway. A new section of trail will traverse the top of a cut slope created during the construction of I-84. Along this section of trail, the historic Mitchell Creek Channel is visible.
• Section 526+50 – 444+44: The next portion of the Trail follows an existing section of Historic Highway passing I-84 Exit 58 and running through the Mitchell Point West Trailhead. This section of trail also provides access to the Wygant Trail. New overlooks are proposed north of the parking area to allow better access to viewing the original alignment of the Historic Highway. The existing Historic Highway alignment will be preserved through this area and will be better defined by the redesigned parking area.
Design/Permitting Issues:
• Recreation Intensity Class 2
• Site visible from several Key Viewing Areas: I-84, Columbia River, Highway 14
• Mitchell Point potential Native American sacred site
• Limited site area, constrained by existing topography, creek and roads
• Conflict with vehicular and bike/hike users
• Allow for future expanded use if RIC is changed
• Restore alignment of HCRH, possible location of historic milepost
ODOT: Milepost 2016 Reconnection Projects - Phase Two - Section F - Mitchell Creek to Mitchell Point Tunnel
Funding - Section E: Viento to Mitchell Creek (As of May 2013)
Environmental: Complete
Engineering: Complete
Construction: $9.5 Million Needed
Total Funds Needed: $9.5 Million
Source: ODOT